Tuesday, September 29, 2015

A Wedding at Orange Blossom Inn by Shelley Shepard Gray (Review)

  • Series: The Pinecraft Brides
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Avon Inspire (September 15, 2015)
  • ISBN-13: 978-0062337740
  • In the third book in New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray's Amish Brides of Pinecraft series, a wedding brings together two young widowed parents . . . and gives them a second chance at love

    Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband, Sanford, passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. Though several years have passed, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty—a handsome widower with three young sons of his own—Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. Still, she is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship—and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband's memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?

    Emma's gentleness with Jay's boys stirs something in his heart that's been quiet for far too long. But when his oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son's joy, Jay wonders if it's time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.

    Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?

    My Review:

    A Wedding at Orange Blossom Inn is the third book in the Pinecraft Brides series. I have enjoyed reading all of them. The two main characters of this story are Emma and Jay. There were many supporting characters including all of the children they each have. Emma has three young girls and Jay has three sons. They add really interesting side plots to the book. There are complications of course. Emma's parents and ex in laws do not want her to move on and remarry. A major side plot develops with Jay's oldest son. He falls in love with the lady who runs the Orange Blossom Inn's niece. At one point it kind of felt like that plot was taking over the main plot of Jay and Emma. But overall the story worked together. There were many funny moments including one pizza loving dog. I love this series. I recommend reading them in order as most of the character's stories keep going in the next book. The Orange Blossom Inn and Beverly are the backbones of the whole series. I can't wait to read the next book in the series which promises to focus mainly on Beverly's story.


    Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

    Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

    Tuesday, September 8, 2015

    Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton (Review)



  • Series: A Four of Hearts Ranch Romance (Book 2)
  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 11, 2015)
  • ISBN-13: 978-1401690519



  • After losing everything she held dear, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy may just spur her to wonder if love might be worth the risk.

    Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the cozy town of Wishing Springs, Texas. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby . . . if she’s brave enough to reach out and take it by the reins.

    Bo Monahan isn’t interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become—or the women who might be looking at him like he’s their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn’t looking for serious romantic commitments. But when the infant son he never knew about shows up at his doorstep, his world is turned upside down.
    This confirmed bachelor might not think he needs a wife, but he sure needs help. Even Abby can see that, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she can’t help but be drawn to this new father-son duo. As Abby throws herself into helping Bo navigate fatherhood, hope sparks between them, revealing that maybe, just maybe, they can navigate their dark pasts and emerge together into a future as bright as the Texas sun itself.

    My Review:

    This is the second book in the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance series. Counting on a Cowboy can stand alone but all the characters are the same except for Abby who is new in town. The main focus of this book is on Abby and Bo. Bo Monahan is one of the co owners of the Four of Hearts Ranch and has a side business of making stirrups. Abby meets him on her first day in town by accident. When she learns Bo has a baby and it was left at his doorstep, she feels like she needs to step in and help the clueless cowboy. This was supposed to be an inspirational romance book. I felt a little let down by the lack of spiritual development and content in the book overall. The secondary characters were good and made the book interesting. Abby and Bo had sparks from the beginning. Abby had serious things in her past she needed to move beyond before she could start a relationship with Bo though. The conclusion was satisfying and fit the book. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book in the series.




    Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist who was first published in 2005 and has more than 22 novels to her credit. Along with her writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra is the author of the acclaimed Mule Hollow Matchmaker Series, the place readers tell her they wish was real. Her goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words. Visit her website at www.debraclopton.com

    Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

    Classics Club Spin 18

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